Average
#2171 of 2,842 schools in PA
Swatara MS
Middle School · Central Dauphin SD
1101 Highland St, Steelton, PA 17113
Enrollment
644
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
5.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
644
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
5.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Steelton
#3 of 4
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#396 of 514
In district
#15 of 19
Central Dauphin SD
About Swatara MS
Swatara MS is a regular public middle school located in Steelton, Pennsylvania, on the large suburban outskirts of Dauphin County. The school serves students from sixth through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 644 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention from its team of 48 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Swatara MS reflects areas where the school is focusing on growth, with state rankings placing it in the 28th percentile out of 2852 schools across Pennsylvania and a MySchoolScout Rating of 4.2/10.
In ELA and reading proficiency tests, 39% of students are proficient or above, while only 16% meet proficiency standards in math. These scores indicate that the school is working to improve its academic offerings and support for all students. Swatara MS sits on Highland Street, providing a suburban setting with opportunities for community engagement and growth for both students and families.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Swatara MS — Students at Swatara MS score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.8/10.
How Swatara MS Compares
See how Swatara MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 14.6% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 39.3% (2024).
Location
1101 Highland St, Steelton, PA 17113
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Swatara MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Marshall Academy (rated 5.1/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Harrisburg), with a very similar rating. Another option is Susquehanna Twp MS (rated 3.8/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Harrisburg), a more accessible option. Additionally, Marshall Math Science Academy (rated 3.4/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Harrisburg), a more accessible option. For more schools in Steelton, see our Steelton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-Community El Sch Steelton | 0.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Steelton-Highspire HS Steelton | 0.7 mi | 4.9 |
| ST CATHERINE LABOURE SCHOOL Harrisburg | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| THE SAMUEL SCHOOL Harrisburg | 1.0 mi | — |
| Steelton-Highspire El Sch Steelton | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Lawnton El Sch Harrisburg | 1.5 mi | 4.9 |
| THE CIRCLE SCHOOL Harrisburg | 1.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Paxtang El Sch Harrisburg | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Reach Cyber CS Harrisburg | 2.2 mi | 3.5 |
| HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTRY SCHOOL Harrisburg | 2.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Marshall Math Science Academy Harrisburg | 2.5 mi | 3.4 |
| Marshall Academy Harrisburg | 2.5 mi | 5.1 |
| South Side El Sch Harrisburg | 2.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Kunkel El Sch Middletown | 2.3 mi | 8.7 |
| Harrisburg HS Harrisburg | 2.6 mi | 3.3 |
| MERAKEY EDUCATION & AUTISM CENTER Harrisburg | 2.9 mi | — |
| Melrose Sch Harrisburg | 2.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Chambers Hill El Sch Harrisburg | 2.4 mi | 5.9 |
| BISHOP MCDEVITT HIGH SCHOOL Harrisburg | 2.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Susquehanna Twp MS Harrisburg | 3.0 mi | 3.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 17113 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,554
Median Home Value
$141,300
Median Rent
$1,091/mo
Population
11,786
College Educated
14.8%
Homeownership
59.7%
Avg Commute
18.5 min
Poverty Rate
16.4%
Median Age
39.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Swatara MS has a median household income of $60,554. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $141,300, with a median rent of $1,091/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.4%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Camp Curtin Academy Harrisburg, PA | 5.2 |
| East Norriton MS Norristown, PA | 5.2 |
| Eastern York MS Wrightsville, PA | 5.2 |
| Founders Hall Middle Sch Mckeesport, PA | 5.2 |
| Greensburg-Salem MS Greensburg, PA | 5.2 |
| Independence MS Bethel Park, PA | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Swatara MS
What grades does Swatara MS serve?
Swatara MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Swatara MS?
Swatara MS has an enrollment of approximately 644 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Swatara MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Swatara MS is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Swatara MS rank in PA?
Swatara MS is ranked #2171 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Swatara MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Swatara MS has a composite rating of 5.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Swatara MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Swatara MS has 15.9% math proficiency and 39.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Swatara MS a charter school?
No, Swatara MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Swatara MS a Title I school?
No, Swatara MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Swatara MS?
100.0% of students at Swatara MS qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,309/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Steelton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 644
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Dauphin County
- Phone
- (717) 939-9363
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Central Dauphin SD- District Enrollment
- 12,543
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,486
- District Rank
- #15 of 19
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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